Thursday, March 24, 2011

Friends vs True Friends

There's a lot of sayings out there about the difference between friends and true friends. Sayings like "a friend will come bail you out of jail, but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying 'Damn, that was fun!'" Well after today I will add my own to the list: Friends will include you in conversations, but true friends will carry on like you aren't even in the room.

It may sound strange, but I stand behind it. I was sitting in the computer lab today when three of my true friends came in. After a brief discussion of class, murder, and kids who are alright, their conversation shifted to P90X and the other measures they are taking to get in dress-shape for the upcoming Barrister's ball. Quotes from the conversation included:
"My Kim Kardashian is getting out of control!"
"Last night I was sitting on the porch with the roomie drinking wine...which probably doesn't help this situation."
"[something about jiggling, the exact words I wish I could remember]"

As you can imagine, I was extremely entertained by the girl-talk, and was extremely grateful that my presence did not trigger a censor that would have kept deprived me of that entertainment. For that, I thank them...which brings me back to my original point. While friends may have whispered, moved to another room, or just changed the topic of conversation due to my presence in their midst, these three true friends just acted like I wasn't even there. And I could not be happier about it.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Richmond Madness

The NCAA tournament, affectionately known as March Madness, has lived up to its name yet again. Despite many commentators predicting a lot of chalk in this year's bracket (translation: few upsets), I didn't buy it for a second. This was the hardest bracket I've ever filled out, and the games this year have shown why.

This last 4 days was, in my opinion, the best opening rounds of tournament play in a long time. Not just for the upsets, but the competitiveness of the games. A lot of games have come down to the final seconds, including one of the wildest endings you will ever see (Pitt vs. Butler). For those who love the college game, this has been a great reminder why. Teamwork, passion, excitement, this year's tournament has it all.

But perhaps nowhere is the tournament excitement greater than here in the River City. The NCAA field of 68 teams has been narrowed down to 16, and the city of Richmond can proudly boast TWO of those remaining teams. The Spiders of Richmond were given a 12-seed in the tournament, and subsequently beat 5-seed Vanderbilt and 13-seed Morehead State. VCU was the talk of Selection Sunday, with virtually everyone outside of the selection committee feeling that they should not have been in the tournament. The Rams won their play-in game to get the 11-seed, knocked off 6-seed Georgetown, and then looked like a #1 seed in a complete demolition of 3-seed Purdue last night.

The Spiders have the tough task of facing #1 Kansas in the next round. VCU, however, gets #10 Florida State. The dream could live on. If by some amazing feat, they each win their next game, the two would face each other in a regional final for a spot in the final 4. While that may be unlikely, anything is possible, especially this year.

It should be noted, as my friend and former blogger Mr. Haywood pointed out this afternoon, that a 6-mile stretch of the city of Richmond has as many Sweet 16 teams as the Big East, the alleged super-conference who was awarded a record 11 bids. And perhaps the only reason they have two teams left is that those two teams played Big East teams, so someone had to advance. Big East supporters will argue that the teams are actually better but they beat themselves up during conference play. To this point, my father had an eloquent response: "No no no...they ain't worth didly squat." Either way, its a great year for mid-majors.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Mustache March

There are days, weeks, or months honoring/referencing pretty much anything. Sometimes people even make up their own months (I'm still convinced one day Toyotathon will actually be on the calender).

But as it turns out, facial hair actually has TWO months. Thousands of razors go on hiatus for "No-Shave November" or "Beardvember," which to be honest barely qualifies as a play on words, and then again just a few months later for "Mustache March." Given my affection for alliteration, I thought I would give it a shot.

I consider myself to be pretty good at a variety of activities. Growing facial hair is not one of them. So I decided to give myself a little bit of a head start. The stache began on February 12. While it initially started as a complete shavecation, it became clear that a ear-to-ear beard was not going to happen, so I decided to stick to the stache and goatee.

My favorite part of the experience has no doubt been people's reactions, specifically the "you look _______" or "you look like _______." Some of my favorites so far:
-V for Vendetta
-Johhny Depp
-Homeless
-A magician
-Edward Norton
-So sinister
-A porn star
-The Devil
-Completely ridiculous

I am sure there have been others that are just not popping into my head right now. Anyway, the shave date has not been set. It will at least stick around until the end of the month. I have contemplated keeping it until the bar exam (end of july) I guess we will find out.

On a side note, a thank you to all of my friends who have been bugging/pestering/sending me emails informing me how many days it had been since my last blawegsome post. It has been busy times, but I will do my best to do better. Much love.

PS Still not sure about the correct spelling of "mustache" (or is it "moustache") Both look weird. Thoughts?